DeShaun Foster lists players involved in battle at right guard for UCLA

There are still multiple position battles going on for the UCLA Bruins at fall camp. According to first-time head coach DeShaun Foster, there are a handful on each side of the ball. However, one of the more significant ones on offense is the battle for the starting right guard position.

On Wednesday, during his media availability, Foster discussed which players are in contention for the starting offensive line position.

“So [Oluwafutno Akinshilo] and (Alani) Makihele also, and that’s it,” said Foster. 

The Bruins head coach sees it as a two-man race between projected starter Alani Makihele and junior transfer from Iowa State Oluwafunto Akinshilo. Akinshilo did not see the field for the Cyclones in 2023. Makihele, a red-shirt junior from Anchorage, AK, started 11 games for UCLA at left guard in 2023 under then-head coach Chip Kelly. Now, it appears that Makihele will be making the jump from left to right guard under Foster’s leadership.

The Bruins head coach discussed the other positions being competed for at fall camp. To the surprise of some of the reporters on hand, quite a few position battles are taking place.

“Running back is one, quarterback, corner, linebacker, receiver, tight end, O-line, [and] right guard. So, it’s mostly every position,” said Foster.

When it comes to the Bruins quarterback battle, it appears as if last year’s starter Ethan Garbers has the inside track to earning the job for a second year in a row. But at fall camp, he is facing nearly two handfuls worth of challengers, with one in particular giving him a run for his money.

“Justyn (Martin). You see that there are nine of them over there,” Foster said. “There’s a lot of them, but Justyn, (Nick) Billops; Mar-Mar (Justyn Martin) is coming into his own. It’s gradually, we’re gradually getting there. Ethan’s had a pretty good camp.”

Garbers split the starting quarterback responsibilities at UCLA last season, primarily with Dante Moore. However, with Moore transferring over the offseason and landing in Eugene, OR, with Big Ten rival, the Oregon Ducks, the senior signal caller sits atop the Bruins depth chart. Last season, Garbers played in 11 games, completing 98 of his 146 pass attempts for 1136 yards, 11 touchdowns, and just three interceptions. Martin is currently listed as QB2 on the Bruins unofficial depth chart.